Here we go again. Time to sink your hard-earned money in another installment of the Madden series. But hey, I'm not complaining. I love football till it hurts and the Madden games have proven year after year to be nothing short of spectacular.

I think this was the Madden that revolutionized the whole series. This was the year they introduced the hit stick and the actual speed made a difference. In the previous years a player with 95 speed could be caught by a player with 80 speed, not in this case. The graphics were amazing for the era of the game and the defense was the king of this game, so long as you knew how to utilize theI think this was the Madden that revolutionized the whole series. This was the year they introduced the hit stick and the actual speed made a difference. In the previous years a player with 95 speed could be caught by a player with 80 speed, not in this case. The graphics were amazing for the era of the game and the defense was the king of this game, so long as you knew how to utilize the players. I played over 500 games while this game was online and I don't think I ever got bored of it. I think most players jumped on the Patriots bandwagon or the Eagles too if I'm not mistaken. This was definitely one of the best Madden games produced.…Expand

(updated review): Although some may argue that this game doesn't compare to ESPN NFL 2k5 in certain respects/aspects, it seems to me at least that this is a decent improvement over last years Madden specifically to say the least, (not that last year's game necassarily needed noticeable improvements.) It is easy for some fans to argue or at least think that ESPN NFL 2k5 is better just(updated review): Although some may argue that this game doesn't compare to ESPN NFL 2k5 in certain respects/aspects, it seems to me at least that this is a decent improvement over last years Madden specifically to say the least, (not that last year's game necassarily needed noticeable improvements.) It is easy for some fans to argue or at least think that ESPN NFL 2k5 is better just because it is something different than what most are used to. (2k5's tackling system was arguably 7 years ahead of it's time considering it wasn't until Madden '12 could match it's realism and feel, the crib featured offered some addicting milestones/acheivements to keep you playing and wanting more.) Madden 2005 ought to be thought of as a defensive upgrade to last years award winning Madden NFL 2004. Although last year's game was arguably the biggest year-to-year improvement in the entire series, (or at least for the PS2-Xbox-Gamecube generation,) the improvements in that game were heavily offense oriented, (mainly offensive pre snap adjustments such as changing the direction of a run, leading your fullback to a key block for a big gain, directing your receiver to an open spot on the field for a big passing play.) Madden 2005 had some fairly effective defensive improvements such as committing to the run/pass, double team coverage and changing individual player assignments that it basically countered the offensive spark Madden 2004 offered to it's football frenzy gamers. Factor in storyline central which beefs up the excitement of franchise mode, slightly improved graphics and even more animations than it's predecessor and this is much more of a definite buy, (at least to gamers whose most recent purchase was madden 2003.)…Expand

I definitely agree with almost every review I've read about Madden, it's the best football game this year. I really like ESPN, but Madden is just incredible. The defense is amazing and the franchise mode is the best ever.

A great game but there are still a few bugs. It was easy enough to play having played the previous versions, and there are so many realistic elements. I would rate this a 10, but what would I do next year when further improvements are added?

James S. has devalued my faith in humanity's future. Anyone that actually believes that ESPN 2K5 is better than Madden should be killed with the betterment of humanity in mind. P.S. Here's a tip: If you're scoring too many points, try changing some settings... maybe start by changing the difficulty setting.

I bought both ESPN & Madden 2005. I felt that Madden was heads and shoulders above ESPN. If you want realistic gameplay then get Madden. ESPN is all flash and too easy. If you want to win every game by 30-40 points, get ESPN. If you want a game that is about as close to the real thing as possible, then you can't go wrong with Madden.

This game blows Madden 2004 out of the air! Madden 2005 is a way better graphically engineered game! Madden keeps the score close no matter what! You could be up in the 1st half and wham, a come back from hell! The ESPN game is a great game, but it just doen't have that name-MADDEN!!!!

An excellent game, however, like many others have said, it is very much alike the others. The hitstick is a great addition, but leaves a bit to be desired in visual hits. Furthermore, I believe the commentating can be expanded upon, and the substitutions shouldn't limit players to play certain positions. I remember in older versions you could have a CB play as a WR and vica versa. An excellent game, however, like many others have said, it is very much alike the others. The hitstick is a great addition, but leaves a bit to be desired in visual hits. Furthermore, I believe the commentating can be expanded upon, and the substitutions shouldn't limit players to play certain positions. I remember in older versions you could have a CB play as a WR and vica versa. Overall I love the Madden series and it gets better and better.…Expand

Ok I admit it, I was a NFL Blitz fan for years. Sad I know. But, last year my girl bought me Madden 2004---I never looked back. This years 2005 version is way better. It not only has better graphics and gameplay but I love The Franchise Mode! This game is the best Madden ever, which makes it the best football game ever. Yes, I rented 2k5 and it was fun, but it was like playing Blitz, Ok I admit it, I was a NFL Blitz fan for years. Sad I know. But, last year my girl bought me Madden 2004---I never looked back. This years 2005 version is way better. It not only has better graphics and gameplay but I love The Franchise Mode! This game is the best Madden ever, which makes it the best football game ever. Yes, I rented 2k5 and it was fun, but it was like playing Blitz, while Madden has no peer. I actually love playing defense now and I'm playing on the All Madden mode and I can run the ball with the best of them. Not to mention that my passing game is top notch as well. Go Bears!!!…Expand

I bought ESPN 2K5 when it came out, and I loved it. Fun, easy to get in to gameplay, great presentation and killer graphics. It would take a lot for Madden to top it. And top it Madden did. At first glance, ESPN will jump out more (for the reasons I stated), but as I played more and more of Madden 2005, I realized how much the little changes to defense added to the depth of the game. I bought ESPN 2K5 when it came out, and I loved it. Fun, easy to get in to gameplay, great presentation and killer graphics. It would take a lot for Madden to top it. And top it Madden did. At first glance, ESPN will jump out more (for the reasons I stated), but as I played more and more of Madden 2005, I realized how much the little changes to defense added to the depth of the game. It's just a deeper, more rewarding, more intense game of football than ESPN or last year's Madden. ESPN is a better pick up and play with your friends type of game, but Madden is the game to get for those who want to get the best football experience.…Expand

Best game of any kind ever. If anyone reading this has a different opinion, that person's opinion is wrong, and that person is a fool. As a side note, if anyone gave ESPN a rating higher than 7, they must clearly have thought the scale went to 100. Madden gets a 100.

The people at PSM Magazine need to remove their heads from their asses. "Not as ambitious, advanced, or enjoyable as ESPN?"... What the hell are you smoking. If by that you meant lame, slow, and choppy, you may be correct. I got fooled by ESPN's cheap price, and I regretted it until today when I traded it in for Madden. PSM, you fools are out of touch.

First off, let me say that both games are incredibly fun. I am sensing that a lot of people (read "kids") on here bought one game and feel the need to rip the other one. I have both. Enjoy both. Here's the honest break down: Graphics are WAY better on Madden. Gameplay is more realistic in Madden. It is FAR, FAR easier to sit back and chuck it deep in ESPN 2K5. Guys are open First off, let me say that both games are incredibly fun. I am sensing that a lot of people (read "kids") on here bought one game and feel the need to rip the other one. I have both. Enjoy both. Here's the honest break down: Graphics are WAY better on Madden. Gameplay is more realistic in Madden. It is FAR, FAR easier to sit back and chuck it deep in ESPN 2K5. Guys are open everywhere and if a WR is in single coverage its so easy to get a TD...and running is easier in 2K5 as well. Not so in Madden. The D is tougher this year. Also, you can get away with calling the same play all game in 2K5, but Madden makes you switch it up. You have more options when you're on D as well AT THE LINE...like double-teaming a particular receiver, blitzing, spying, etc. Conversely, audibles are better in 2K5 because you have different ones for EVERY FORMATION...and you can switch them on the fly. Unlike Madden where you have 6 (and 6 for D) and you have to pause to change them. Ironically, pausing is how ESPN does Defensive assignments...both games should borrow from each other and allow these changes to be made at the line of scrimmage. My other beef with Madden is the cheap AI...I shouldn't be punished with INTs and fumbles just because I'm winning. In the end, ESPN might be more fun (and the Crib is a far more fun incentive than Madden Cards)...but it might be a bit too easy and too unrealistic (and I'm playing on the same levels on both games.) You can't go wrong with either game and neithr game is perfect, but if you can only buy ONE, I'd say probably get Madden, even at $50 its still the better game. But again, both are great.…Expand

While I like some of the improvements over last year's game, there's still a major imbalance between the difficulty of the running game and the ease of the passing game. It's still a great game, but when compared to ESPN 2K5 on a number of fronts... Madden 2005 lags just behind.

This game is amazing, yeah it is kind of like the previous Madden, but there is just something about the game that makes it awesome. The graphics on the game are alot better, and what i love most about the game is the new and improved "hit stick" where you can decide whether you want to wrap up your tackle or go for the big hit and fumble, at first i thought that it was dumb but once i This game is amazing, yeah it is kind of like the previous Madden, but there is just something about the game that makes it awesome. The graphics on the game are alot better, and what i love most about the game is the new and improved "hit stick" where you can decide whether you want to wrap up your tackle or go for the big hit and fumble, at first i thought that it was dumb but once i got the hang of using it, it became my favorite feature in the game. People complain about "oh well if you want a unrealistic running game then get madden" the defense on madden is tougher yes, but all the talk about a unrealistic running game is all crap, the running game is tougher, and it teaches you real football. If you yourself know football then it is some good competition, If you know by what formation the defense is in whether you can run or not. And that is what makes the game so realistic. The "unstoppable running defense" is only for the idiots that try to run up the middle while the defense is stuffing "the box"…Expand

This game is amazing, yeah it is kind of like the previous Madden, but there is just something about the game that makes it awesome. The graphics on the game are alot better, and what i love most about the game is the new and improved "hit stick" where you can decide whether you want to wrap up your tackle or go for the big hit and fumble, at first i thought that it was dumb but once i This game is amazing, yeah it is kind of like the previous Madden, but there is just something about the game that makes it awesome. The graphics on the game are alot better, and what i love most about the game is the new and improved "hit stick" where you can decide whether you want to wrap up your tackle or go for the big hit and fumble, at first i thought that it was dumb but once i got the hang of using it, it became my favorite feature in the game. People complain about "oh well if you want a unrealistic running game then get madden" the defense on madden is tougher yes, but all the talk about a unrealistic running game is all crap, the running game is tougher, and it teaches you real football. If you yourself know football then it is some good competition, If you know by what formation the defense is in whether you can run or not. And that is what makes the game so realistic. The "unstoppable running defense" is only for the idiots that try to run up the middle while the defense is stuffing "the box"…Expand

I'm a former madden hater... every year i find myself going out to buy it in hopes that it will be as good as NCAA Football and each year i am disappointed... Until this morning when i went out and bought Madden 2005 i've played it all day and it has yet to disappoint... If you hated the other ones like me give this one a chance.

I thought the game was better than madden 04. I ove the new hit stick and i find it very easy to use. The Franchise game mode is sweet but i always find myself in a salary cap bind about 5 years into the franchise. However, there arnt enough very exicitn new features added to the game and i have to agree with the fact that creating playbooks and plays is quite pointless becuase of the I thought the game was better than madden 04. I ove the new hit stick and i find it very easy to use. The Franchise game mode is sweet but i always find myself in a salary cap bind about 5 years into the franchise. However, there arnt enough very exicitn new features added to the game and i have to agree with the fact that creating playbooks and plays is quite pointless becuase of the restriction.…Expand

For all y'all who think that the game is unrealistic your wrong. The long pass yes, but you can run the ball like before, and you only have limited time to throw the ball in real life. If your angry about running the ball you can't run the ball up the middle every time. You can but you gotta mix it up. And honestly I've hated runnin a toss play but it is easier I think so For all y'all who think that the game is unrealistic your wrong. The long pass yes, but you can run the ball like before, and you only have limited time to throw the ball in real life. If your angry about running the ball you can't run the ball up the middle every time. You can but you gotta mix it up. And honestly I've hated runnin a toss play but it is easier I think so use that and that can confuse the AI.…Expand

The game play is great and the AI is more challenging but i just wish the memory was a little better like remembering the season before for instance who the previous super bowl champs were and the previous records that had been broken for example my team went 16-0 and the talk was about how amazing they were yet the following year they were 12-0 and on the radio show they continued to talkThe game play is great and the AI is more challenging but i just wish the memory was a little better like remembering the season before for instance who the previous super bowl champs were and the previous records that had been broken for example my team went 16-0 and the talk was about how amazing they were yet the following year they were 12-0 and on the radio show they continued to talk about how 16-0 had never been done before now its nothing major and im going to buy the games every year it would just be nice to have the ea sports people to place the same effort and attention in to the additions they are adding surrounding the game as they are adding to the offence and defence as well as the ever changing graphics to create the best video game ever played by its fans.…Collapse

I read all of these previous posts and some makes me scrach my head. I conisder my self a hardcore madden player and I find this game very easy. Even on all madden. Typical madden players pass 70% of the time. I however have an evenly balanced attack. I have led the league in rushing and passing together every single season. I do not create players or edit them, or even take the salary I read all of these previous posts and some makes me scrach my head. I conisder my self a hardcore madden player and I find this game very easy. Even on all madden. Typical madden players pass 70% of the time. I however have an evenly balanced attack. I have led the league in rushing and passing together every single season. I do not create players or edit them, or even take the salary cap off. I have mastered this game. There are some games I win 77-0 on all madden. This game is hard to master but when you do it becomes easy. I wish there was a harder level. I have figured out all the madden gliches. The best gliche is to pick a play on defense in which your middle linebacker is supposed to blitz. Take control of him and pull back(do not blitz), if you do this the all madden brain thinks he is blitzing and has no idea i am sitting there waiting to pick off a pass. I intercepted over 100 passes in 4 years by doing this method. I need a harder level and 2005 does not provide me with it.…Expand

It still doesn't own the grahics category, but Madden controls better with that same great pace it's known to have. [Sept 2004, p.86]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

92

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

netjak

56

Sure, the series succeeds in the atmosphere department, but atmosphere is more needed for the spectators than the guys playing the game. Madden, to me, is a warm, fluffy roll without the hamburger. Yo EA, wheres the beef?